Rory McIlroy Crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 After Historic Season

19 December 2025 Sports

McIlroy’s Historic Year Earns Top Honours

Rory McIlroy won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in a public vote on Thursday after a career-defining 2025 campaign. He edged out Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne and Formula One world champion Lando Norris. The prestigious ceremony, broadcast live from MediaCity in Salford on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, was presented by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott.

Completing the Career Grand Slam

McIlroy became only the sixth man to complete golf’s career Grand Slam with a long-awaited victory at the Masters in April. This triumph ended an 11-year major drought and fulfilled a lifelong dream for the Northern Irish golfer. He became just the sixth man to win the career Grand Slam in a year that also included many victories on the PGA Tour and a seventh Race to Dubai title on the DP World Tour. The 36-year-old’s emotional acceptance reflected the magnitude of his achievements: “2025 has been the year I made my dreams come true. From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between. It’s the year dreams are made of.”

Ryder Cup Heroics and European Triumph

McIlroy helped inspire Europe to a dramatic Ryder Cup victory over the United States at Bethpage Black, despite being targeted by persistent abuse from the American fans. It was a double success for McIlroy as the European Ryder Cup side were named the Team of the Year. This away victory marked Europe’s first win on American soil since 2012, cementing McIlroy’s status as a key leader in European golf.

Significance for British Sport

The 36-year-old became only the third Northern Irish winner of the prize after former jockey AP McCoy and 1972 Olympic pentathlon champion Mary Peters. The other nominees for the main prize were 18-year-old darts world champion Luke Littler, as well as England’s Women’s Euro 2025 winners Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly. McIlroy’s victory highlights golf’s enduring appeal and recognises his exceptional year that saw him achieve what many thought might forever elude him – the completion of the career Grand Slam alongside team glory at the Ryder Cup.